How to Train in Building Evacuation

Stay calm. During training, staying calm may be relatively easy, as an immediate threat may not be present. During real-life emergencies, panic may come across some individuals instantly, so constantly telling yourself not to panic while you train may help remind you to do so in a real emergency.

Walk around a building to familiarize yourself with hallways, exits and surroundings, if staying overnight at a hotel for example. Fires take a toll on visibility so you will have to rely on your sense of direction.

Pay attention to stairs, which should be used when evacuating; never plan to use the elevator. Use caution on stairs during training or real emergencies. Quickly maneuvering up and down stairs without caution could lead to serious injuries if you slip and fall. Injuring yourself to the point of immobility could pose a life-threatening situation because you need to reach the exits to escape danger.

Look over the evacuation floor plans of a building to familiarize yourself with procedures, exits and alternative evacuation routes.

Look for ways to shield yourself from falling debris during an earthquake. Sheltering underneath desks and chairs is one possibility. Wait until the earthquake is over before evacuating the building.

Plan evacuation routes that can lead to higher ground when lower levels of a building may become flooded. Rising flood levels may be unpredictable.

Locate nearby fire extinguishers and read the instructions. Make sure you know how to use an extinguisher for the correct situation. D-class fire extinguishers, for example, are more suited for extinguishing combustible metals. Taking quick and appropriate action to extinguish a small fire can prevent an evacuation. Do not attempt to fight large fires, however; exit the building and dial 911.

Take these tips and perform training procedures to get into the habit of taking the necessary steps and better educating yourself with your surroundings.